CELEBRATED poet Simon Armitage read aloud his works at a special festival

The poet, playwright and novelist brought to a close a series of arts and science enrichment events held at Bolton School by inspiring young and old with his wry humour, insightful reflections and masterful wordplay at a Poetry Festival.

He was joined by pupils from the girls' division who read out their own poems, including Amelia Doherty’s Compasses poem which achieved third place in the Goodreads’ Poetry Competition, where, earlier this year, she had been the youngest ever finalist.

A spokesman for Bolton School said: "He told the public gathering of local pupils, teachers, families and friends of the school, that if you want to be a writer, the only true advice he can give 'is to read'. This will influence what you do and do not write.

"Simon chose a wide selection of readings, spanning, non-sequentially, his entire career and gave background to each piece, frequently laced with subtle humour."

The poet also took questions from the audience.

The spokesman said: "Asked about writing his first poem, he recalled penning a poem aged 10 at junior school and whilst the teacher said it was good, it was not one of the top six that were put on the wall.

"He wondered if his whole life had subsequently been about trying to show that teacher that his work is worthy. Asked if he ever gets writer’s block, he said his problem was not having ideas but the challenge is to find a way of saying things, a style, that makes the commonplace seem fresh or engaging. He said he does carry a notebook for jotting down ideas as well as keeping a journal and that he has always been a list-maker. Talking about his favourite poem, he said it was one he wrote when he was a Probation Officer working in Rochdale."